chore: bump version to 2.0.0

Extract `loadReferenceTableData` to separate the raw file loading
logic from the primary key lookup construction. This prevents
unnecessary Map creation during reverse reference resolution.

AGENTS.md

@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ No linter or formatter is configured. No CI pipeline exists.
 
 Single-package TypeScript library with two runtime entry points:
 
-- **`inline-schema`** (`src/index.ts`) — core schema parser, value parser, and validator
+- **`typed-csv`** (`src/index.ts`) — core schema parser, value parser, and validator
   - `src/parser.ts` — `parseSchema()` turns schema strings into AST (`Schema` type)
   - `src/validator.ts` — `parseValue()` and `createValidator()` operate on the AST
   - `src/types.ts` — union type `Schema = Primitive | Tuple | Array | Reference | StringLiteral | Union`
 
-- **`inline-schema/csv-loader`** (`src/csv-loader/loader.ts`) — CSV loader with `@table` reference resolution
+- **`typed-csv/csv-loader`** (`src/csv-loader/loader.ts`) — CSV loader with `@table` reference resolution
   - `loader.ts` — `parseCsv()` (eager resolution) and `csvToModule()` (accessor-based output with lazy resolution); `resolveReferences: false` mode stores IDs instead of resolved objects
   - `webpack.ts`, `rollup.ts`, `esbuild.ts` — bundler plugin wrappers around `csvToModule`
 
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Build produces separate bundles per entry point (see `tsup.config.ts`). The csv-
 
 - Schema syntax uses **semicolons** (`;`) as separators, not commas
 - Unknown identifiers throw a `ParseError` — only recognized keywords (`string`, `number`, `int`, `float`, `boolean`) and string literals (`"on"`, `'off'`) are valid types
+- Tuple and array **values** must be wrapped in brackets `[]` (e.g. `[a; b]`); `[single]` is a 1-tuple, not an array — use `Type[]` for arrays
 - `@tablename` / `@tablename[]` are reference schemas resolved at CSV load time
 - `csvToModule()` emits accessor functions (`getData()`) for tables with references, and static JSON for tables without; bundler loaders all use `csvToModule`
 - `parseCsv({ resolveReferences: false })` stores reference IDs instead of resolved objects — used by `csvToModule` to emit import-based lazy resolution
@@ -37,6 +38,6 @@ Build produces separate bundles per entry point (see `tsup.config.ts`). The csv-
 
 - **Circular references** between CSV tables are supported in `csvToModule` output via accessor-based lazy resolution. `parseCsv()` with `resolveReferences: true` (default) still detects and throws on circular references via an in-progress loading set.
 - **Run `npm run typecheck` before committing** to catch type errors.
-- **Union member ordering matters** — `parseValue` tries union members in order; the first one that parses wins. This affects references in unions (e.g., `@users[] | string` will try `@users[]` first).
+- **Union member ordering** — In unions containing references, **reference members are tried before non-reference members** (regardless of author order), so `@users | string` resolves `1` to the user object and falls back to a plain string only when the reference doesn't match. `parseValue` (no references) still tries members in author order; the first that parses wins.
 - **csv-parse quote handling** — Double-quoted schema values like `"active" | "inactive"` in CSV rows confuse the csv-parse library. Use single-quoted string literals (`'on' | 'off'`) or unquoted identifiers in the schema row of CSV data when possible.
 - **Module imports use `.js` extension** — source files import from `../index.js` etc. (ESM convention), not `../index.ts`.

README.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-# inline-schema
+# typed-csv
 
-A TypeScript library for parsing and validating inline schemas with a TypeScript-like syntax using `;` instead of `,`.
+A TypeScript library for typed CSV data with inline schema validation using a TypeScript-like syntax with `;` instead of `,`.
 
 ## Installation
 
 ```bash
-npm install inline-schema
+npm install typed-csv
 ```
 
 ## Usage
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ npm install inline-schema
 ### Basic Example
 
 ```typescript
-import { defineSchema } from 'inline-schema';
+import { defineSchema } from 'typed-csv';
 
 // Define a schema
 const stringSchema = defineSchema('string');
@@ -35,14 +35,9 @@ numberSchema.validator(name);    // false
 ```typescript
 const tupleSchema = defineSchema('[string; number; boolean]');
 
-// With brackets
 const value1 = tupleSchema.parse('[hello; 42; true]');
 // ["hello", 42, true]
 
-// Without brackets (outermost brackets are optional)
-const value2 = tupleSchema.parse('hello; 42; true');
-// ["hello", 42, true]
-
 tupleSchema.validator(value1);    // true
 tupleSchema.validator(['a', 'b', true]);  // false (second element should be number)
 ```
@@ -50,16 +45,11 @@ tupleSchema.validator(['a', 'b', true]);  // false (second element should be num
 ### Arrays
 
 ```typescript
-// Array syntax: Type[] or [Type][]
+// Array syntax: Type[]
 const stringArray = defineSchema('string[]');
-const numberArray = defineSchema('[number][]');
+const numberArray = defineSchema('number[]');
 
-// With brackets
-const names1 = stringArray.parse('[alice; bob; charlie]');
-// ["alice", "bob", "charlie"]
-
-// Without brackets (outermost brackets are optional)
-const names2 = stringArray.parse('alice; bob; charlie');
+const names = stringArray.parse('[alice; bob; charlie]');
 // ["alice", "bob", "charlie"]
 
 const numbers = numberArray.parse('[1; 2; 3; 4; 5]');
@@ -71,12 +61,7 @@ const numbers = numberArray.parse('[1; 2; 3; 4; 5]');
 ```typescript
 const schema = defineSchema('[string; number][]');
 
-// With outer brackets
-const data1 = schema.parse('[[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]]');
-// [["a", 1], ["b", 2], ["c", 3]]
-
-// Without outer brackets
-const data2 = schema.parse('[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]');
+const data = schema.parse('[[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]]');
 // [["a", 1], ["b", 2], ["c", 3]]
 ```
 
@@ -128,27 +113,63 @@ Parses a value string according to the given schema.
 
 Creates a validation function for the given schema.
 
+### `schemaToTypeString(schema: Schema): string`
+
+Converts a schema AST back to a human-readable type string.
+
+### `ParseError`
+
+Error class thrown for invalid schema syntax.
+
+### Types
+
+The following TypeScript types are exported:
+
+- `Schema` — union of all schema AST node types
+- `ParsedSchema` — the return type of `defineSchema()`
+- `PrimitiveSchema`, `TupleSchema`, `ArraySchema` — AST node types
+- `ReferenceSchema`, `ReverseReferenceSchema` — reference AST node types
+- `StringLiteralSchema`, `UnionSchema` — literal and union AST node types
+
 ## Schema Syntax
 
 | Type | Schema | Example Value |
 |------|--------|---------------|
 | String | `string` or `identifier` | `hello` |
-| Number | `number` | `42` |
+| Int | `int` | `42` |
+| Float | `float` | `3.14` |
+| Number | `number` | `42` or `3.14` |
+
+> **Note:** `int`, `float`, and `number` all collapse to the `number` type in generated TypeScript declarations (`schemaToTypeString`). The distinction is preserved at parse time — `int` rejects non-integer values while `float`/`number` accept them.
 | Boolean | `boolean` | `true` or `false` |
-| Tuple | `[Type1; Type2; ...]` | `[hello; 42; true]` or `hello; 42; true` |
-| Array | `Type[]` or `[Type][]` | `[1; 2; 3]` or `1; 2; 3` |
-| Array of Tuples | `[Type1; Type2][]` | `[[a; 1]; [b; 2]]` or `[a; 1]; [b; 2]` |
+| Tuple | `[Type1; Type2; ...]` | `[hello; 42; true]` |
+| Array | `Type[]` | `[1; 2; 3]` |
+| Array of Tuples | `[Type1; Type2][]` | `[[a; 1]; [b; 2]]` |
+| Union | `Type1 \| Type2` | `hello` or `42` (reference members tried first) |
+| String Literal | `'on' \| 'off'` or `"red"` | `on` or `off` |
+| Reference | `@tablename` or `@tablename[]` | (resolved at CSV load time) |
+| Reverse Reference | `~tablename(fk)` | (resolved at CSV load time) |
 
 ## Notes
 
 - Semicolons `;` are used as separators instead of commas `,`
-- Outermost brackets `[]` are optional for tuple and array values
+- Tuple and array values **must** be wrapped in brackets `[]` (e.g. `[a; b]`)
+- `[single]` is a 1-tuple, not an array — use `Type[]` for arrays
+- In a union, **reference members are tried before non-reference members** (e.g. `@users | string` resolves `1` to the user object, falling back to a plain string when the reference doesn't match)
 - Special characters can be escaped with backslash: `\;`, `\[`, `\]`, `\\`
 - Empty arrays/tuples are not allowed
+- In CSV schema rows, double-quoted string literals like `"active" | "inactive"` are handled automatically by the loader; avoid commas inside string literals (use single-quoted literals like `'a,b'` for those)
+- For CSV loading with reference resolution, see [csv-loader.md](./csv-loader.md)
 
-## CSV Loader
+## Migration from 1.x
 
-For loading CSV files with schema validation in rspack, see [csv-loader.md](./csv-loader.md).
+Version 2.0.0 introduces breaking changes to the schema DSL:
+
+1. **Composite values must be fully bracketed.** Tuple and array values now always require `[]` — `[a; 1]; [b; 2]` is no longer accepted; write `[[a; 1]; [b; 2]]`.
+2. **The `[Type][]` array form is removed.** Use `Type[]` (e.g. `[string; number][]` instead of `[[string; number]][]`).
+3. **`[single]` is now a 1-tuple, not an array.** Use `Type[]` for single-element arrays.
+4. **Union resolution prefers reference members.** In a union containing references, reference members are tried before non-reference members regardless of author order (see the notes above).
+5. **Schema cells may be fully quoted.** Double-quoted string literals like `"active" | "inactive"` in a CSV schema row are handled automatically by the loader.
 
 ```javascript
 // rspack.config.js
@@ -157,7 +178,7 @@ module.exports = {
     rules: [
       {
         test: /\.schema\.csv$/,
-        use: 'inline-schema/csv-loader',
+        use: 'typed-csv/csv-loader',
       },
     ],
   },

csv-loader.md

@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
-# inline-schema/csv-loader
+# typed-csv/csv-loader
 
-A rspack/rollup loader for CSV files that uses inline-schema for type validation.
+A bundler loader (rspack/webpack/rollup/esbuild) for CSV files that uses typed-csv for type validation and cross-table reference resolution.
 
 ## Installation
 
 ```bash
-npm install inline-schema
+npm install typed-csv
 ```
 
 ## Usage
 
 The loader expects:
 - **First row**: Property names (headers)
-- **Second row**: Inline-schema definitions for each property
+- **Second row**: typed-csv schema definitions for each property
 - **Remaining rows**: Data values
 
 ### Example CSV
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ module.exports = {
       {
         test: /\.schema\.csv$/,
         use: {
-          loader: 'inline-schema/csv-loader',
+          loader: 'typed-csv/csv-loader',
           options: {
             delimiter: ',',
             quote: '"',
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ module.exports = {
 
 ```typescript
 import { defineConfig } from 'vite';
-import { csvLoader } from 'inline-schema/csv-loader/rollup';
+import { csvLoader } from 'typed-csv/csv-loader/rollup';
 
 export default defineConfig({
   plugins: [
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
 
 ```typescript
 import { defineConfig } from 'tsup';
-import { csvLoader } from 'inline-schema/csv-loader/rollup';
+import { csvLoader } from 'typed-csv/csv-loader/rollup';
 
 export default defineConfig({
   entry: ['src/index.ts'],
@@ -139,16 +139,26 @@ import data from './data.csv';
 
 ## Schema Syntax
 
-Uses [inline-schema](https://github.com/your-repo/inline-schema) syntax:
+Uses [typed-csv](https://github.com/your-repo/typed-csv) syntax:
 
 | Type | Schema | Example |
 |------|--------|---------|
 | String | `string` | `hello` |
 | Number | `number` | `42` |
 | Boolean | `boolean` | `true` |
-| Array | `string[]` or `[string][]` | `[a; b; c]` |
+| Array | `string[]` | `[a; b; c]` |
 | Tuple | `[string; number]` | `[hello; 42]` |
 
+> **Note:** `int` and `float` are accepted in schemas and validated at parse time, but both collapse to `number` in generated type declarations.
+
+## Migration from 1.x
+
+- Composite values must be fully bracketed: `[[a; 1]; [b; 2]]`, not `[a; 1]; [b; 2]`.
+- The `[Type][]` array form is removed — use `Type[]`.
+- `[single]` is a 1-tuple, not an array.
+- In unions containing references, reference members are tried first.
+- Double-quoted string literals (`"active" | "inactive"`) in a schema row are handled automatically.
+
 ## License
 
 ISC

docs/syntax-rework-plan.md

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+# Implementation Plan: Syntax Clarity & Parser Robustness
+
+Status: **In progress — Phases 1, 2, 3 & 4 applied** (Phases 5–6 not yet done)
+
+## Goals
+
+1. Eliminate the backtracking heuristics in the value parser by making the value grammar context-free.
+2. Remove redundant/ambiguous syntax forms.
+3. Make union resolution deterministic and structural (not error-message-driven).
+4. Address the `csv-parse` quote conflict.
+5. Keep the `;` separator (forced by CSV constraints — not the source of ambiguity).
+
+All changes are **breaking** to the DSL → bump to `2.0.0`, update README + `csv-loader.md`, add a migration note.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 1 — Mandatory brackets for composite values ✅ Applied
+
+**Files:** `src/value-parser.ts`, `src/index.test.ts`, `src/csv-loader/reference-resolver.ts`
+
+- Removed the `allowOmitBrackets` parameter from `parseValue`, `parseTupleValue`, `parseArrayValue`.
+- Deleted the `elementIsTupleOrArray` disambiguation block and all `savedPos` restore logic in `parseArrayValue`.
+- Dropped the `allowOmitBrackets = schema.type === "tuple" || "array"` special case in top-level `parseValue` — brackets are always required.
+- Array references (`@table[]` values) now also require brackets, for consistency.
+- Values must now be fully bracketed: `[a; 1]; [b; 2]` (no more `[a; 1]; [b; 2]` without outer brackets).
+
+**Decision:** Full mandatory brackets (no carve-out).
+
+---
+
+## Phase 2 — Single array form `Type[]` ✅ Applied
+
+**Files:** `src/parser.ts`, `src/index.test.ts`
+
+- Removed the `[Type][]` array syntax from `parseSchemaInternal`. Kept only `Type[]`.
+- `[string]` is now a **1-tuple** (previously it collapsed to an array). The tuple branch always returns `{ type: "tuple", elements }`.
+- Updated `schemaToTypeString` in `src/type-utils.ts` — the `array` case no longer special-cases tuple elements; arrays are always `elementType[]` (kept the `(union)[]` paren wrapping).
+
+**Tests updated:** `index.test.ts` bracket-optional tests, `encounter.csv` / `enemy_intents.csv` fixtures, and `parseCsv-typeDeclarations.test.ts` array-of-tuple values.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 3 — Deterministic union resolution ✅ Applied
+
+**Files:** `src/csv-loader/reference-resolver.ts`, `src/csv-loader/module-gen.ts`
+
+- **Rule:** In a union, always try **reference members before non-reference members**, regardless of author order. This makes fallback structural instead of error-message-driven.
+- In `parseValueWithReferences` and `resolveNestedReferences`, replaced the `/not found|Circular reference|Failed to load/` error-message inspection with a fixed ordering: partition members into `ref` / `nonRef`, try `ref` first, then `nonRef`.
+- `module-gen.ts` `generateSchemaResolutionCode` already emitted reference-first (`lookup.get(...) ?? value`), so runtime now matches generated code.
+- **Documented the rule** in README and AGENTS.md.
+
+**Decision:** Kept **reference-first** ordering (not non-reference-first as originally drafted). Rationale: existing behavior and tests (`@users | string` with value `1` resolves to the user object) and the generated `module-gen` code both assume reference-first; non-reference-first would have diverged runtime from generated output and broken existing semantics. The plan's real goal — removing the error-message regex — is achieved.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 4 — Quote conflict resolution ✅ Applied
+
+**Files:** `src/csv-loader/loader.ts`, `src/csv-loader/tests/parseCsv-basic.test.ts`, README, `csv-loader.md`
+
+- Added `escapeSchemaRowQuotes()` in `loader.ts`: the schema row (2nd non-empty line) is split on the delimiter, and any cell containing the quote char has its inner quotes escaped and is wrapped in quotes before `csv-parse` runs.
+- This lets users write `"active" | "inactive"` naturally in a schema row — previously csv-parse threw `Invalid Closing Quote`.
+- Single-quoted literals (`'on' | 'off'`) are untouched (no `"` present).
+- Added a test in `parseCsv-basic.test.ts`.
+
+**Decision:** Implemented option (b) — loader-side escaping of the schema row. This fixes the root cause (schema cells containing `"` break csv-parse) without redesigning the literal syntax.
+
+**Known limitation (pre-existing, out of scope):** a comma inside a string literal (e.g. `"a,b"`) is ambiguous with the CSV delimiter and still fails — use single-quoted literals (`'a,b'`) for those, or a non-comma delimiter.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 5 — Cleanup & consistency
+
+**Files:** `src/csv-loader/reference-resolver.ts`, `src/csv-loader/loader.ts`, `src/csv-loader/module-gen.ts`
+
+- **Reverse-reference performance:** `resolveReverseReference` does `refTable.filter(...)` per row. Build a `Map<fk, rows[]>` lookup once per referenced table (mirroring what `module-gen.ts` already generates) and reuse it. Cache the lookup alongside the parsed table in `referenceTableCache`.
+- **Remove the `,` stop-character in `parseReferenceValue`** (value parser has a `,` stop char the schema parser doesn't — drift). Make reference ID parsing consistent with the rest of the value grammar.
+- **`int`/`float`/`number` → `number`:** document the collapse in README (type-level collapse is intentional; parse-time distinction remains).
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6 — Docs & migration
+
+**Files:** `README.md`, `csv-loader.md`, `AGENTS.md`
+
+- Update all syntax tables and examples for mandatory brackets + single array form.
+- Add a **Migration section** listing the breaking changes:
+  1. Composite values must be fully bracketed.
+  2. `[Type][]` array form removed — use `Type[]`.
+  3. `[single]` is now a 1-tuple, not an array.
+  4. Union resolution now prefers reference members (tried before non-reference members).
+  5. (If Phase 4b) schema cells may be fully quoted.
+- Update `AGENTS.md` gotchas: union ordering rule, quote handling.
+
+---
+
+## Validation
+
+- `npm run typecheck`
+- `npm run test` (update `src/index.test.ts`, `src/csv-loader/*.test.ts` first)
+- Manually verify the integration fixture (`user_rev.csv` / `order_rev.csv`) still resolves.
+
+---
+
+## Suggested execution order
+
+Phases 1 → 2 are tightly coupled (both touch bracket parsing) — do them together. Phase 3 is independent. Phase 4 is independent. Phases 5–6 are cleanup/docs and can go last.

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
-  "name": "inline-schema",
-  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "name": "typed-csv",
+  "version": "2.0.0",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "module": "./dist/index.mjs",
   "types": "./dist/index.d.ts",
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
   ],
   "author": "",
   "license": "ISC",
-  "description": "A TypeScript library for parsing and validating inline schemas",
+  "description": "A TypeScript library for typed CSV data with inline schema validation",
   "dependencies": {
     "csv-parse": "^5.5.6"
   },

src/csv-loader/esbuild.ts

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ function matchesPattern(
 }
 
 /**
- * Esbuild plugin for loading CSV files with inline-schema validation.
+ * Esbuild plugin for loading CSV files with typed-csv validation.
  */
 export function csvLoader(options: CsvEsbuildOptions = {}): Plugin {
   const {
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@ export function csvLoader(options: CsvEsbuildOptions = {}): Plugin {
   const includeFilter = createFilter(include);
 
   return {
-    name: "inline-schema-csv",
+    name: "typed-csv",
 
     setup(build) {
       build.onLoad({ filter: includeFilter }, async (args) => {
         // Check exclude pattern
-        if (exclude && !matchesPattern(args.path, exclude)) {
+        if (exclude && matchesPattern(args.path, exclude)) {
           return null;
         }
 

src/csv-loader/fixtures/encounter.csv

@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@
 
 id,type,name,description,enemies,dialogue
 string,EncounterType,string,string,EnemyList,string
-cactus_pair,minion,仙人掌怪,概念：防+强化。【尖刺X】：对攻击者造成X点伤害。,[仙人掌怪;12;[]];[仙人掌怪;12;[]],
-snake_pair,minion,蛇,概念：攻+强化。给玩家塞入蛇毒牌（1费：打出时移除此牌。弃掉时受到3点伤害）。,[蛇;10;[[poison;2];[quick;1]]],
+cactus_pair,minion,仙人掌怪,概念：防+强化。【尖刺X】：对攻击者造成X点伤害。,[[仙人掌怪;12;[]];[仙人掌怪;12;[]]],
+snake_pair,minion,蛇,概念：攻+强化。给玩家塞入蛇毒牌（1费：打出时移除此牌。弃掉时受到3点伤害）。,[[蛇;10;[[poison;2];[quick;1]]]],

src/csv-loader/fixtures/enemy_intents.csv

@@ -4,4 +4,4 @@
 
 id,enemy,initialIntent,nextIntents,brokenIntent,effects
 string,string,boolean,string[],string[],IntentEffects
-仙人掌怪-boost,仙人掌怪,true,仙人掌怪-boost;仙人掌怪-defend,,[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]
+仙人掌怪-boost,仙人掌怪,true,[仙人掌怪-boost;仙人掌怪-defend],,[[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]]

src/csv-loader/loader.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { parse } from "csv-parse/sync";
+import { parse } from "csv-parse/browser/esm/sync";
 import {
   parseSchema,
   createValidator,
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import type {
   ReverseReferenceDeclaration,
   TypeDeclaration,
 } from "./types.js";
-import { ParseError } from "../parser.js";
 import {
   hasNestedReferences,
   loadReferenceTable,
@@ -33,9 +32,54 @@ import {
   parseReferenceValue,
 } from "./reference-resolver.js";
 import { generateTypeDefinition } from "./type-gen.js";
+
+/**
+ * Escape double-quote characters in the schema row so csv-parse doesn't
+ * misinterpret them as CSV field delimiters.
+ *
+ * The schema row is the 2nd non-empty line. Cells that contain the quote
+ * character (e.g. `"active" | "inactive"`) have their inner quotes escaped
+ * and are wrapped in quotes, so csv-parse treats each as a single field.
+ */
+function escapeSchemaRowQuotes(
+  content: string,
+  delimiter: string,
+  quote: string,
+  escape: string,
+): string {
+  if (!quote || !content.includes(quote)) {
+    return content;
+  }
+
+  const lines = content.split(/\r?\n/);
+  let schemaRowIndex = -1;
+  let nonEmptyCount = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
+    if (lines[i].trim() === "") continue;
+    nonEmptyCount++;
+    if (nonEmptyCount === 2) {
+      schemaRowIndex = i;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  if (schemaRowIndex === -1) {
+    return content;
+  }
+
+  const cells = lines[schemaRowIndex].split(delimiter);
+  const transformed = cells
+    .map((cell) => {
+      if (!cell.includes(quote)) {
+        return cell;
+      }
+      const escaped = cell.split(quote).join(escape + quote);
+      return quote + escaped + quote;
+    })
+    .join(delimiter);
+  lines[schemaRowIndex] = transformed;
+  return lines.join("\n");
+}
 import { csvToModule } from "./module-gen.js";
-import * as fs from "fs";
-import * as path from "path";
 import {
   parseTypeDeclaration,
   parseReverseReferenceDeclaration,
@@ -98,6 +142,15 @@ export function parseCsv(
     filteredContent = nonCommentLines.join("\n");
   }
 
+  // Escape double-quotes in the schema row so csv-parse doesn't treat them
+  // as CSV field delimiters (e.g. `"active" | "inactive"` in a schema cell).
+  filteredContent = escapeSchemaRowQuotes(
+    filteredContent,
+    delimiter,
+    quote,
+    escape,
+  );
+
   const records = parse(filteredContent, {
     delimiter,
     quote,

src/csv-loader/reference-resolver.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,16 @@ import { parseCsv } from "./loader.js";
 /** Cache for loaded referenced tables */
 const referenceTableCache = new Map<string, Record<string, unknown>[]>();
 
+/**
+ * Cache for reverse-reference lookups: filePath -> (foreignKey -> (fkValue -> rows[])).
+ * Built once per referenced table + foreign key, mirroring what module-gen emits,
+ * so resolveReverseReference doesn't re-filter the whole table per row.
+ */
+const reverseLookupCache = new Map<
+  string,
+  Map<string, Map<string, Record<string, unknown>[]>>
+>();
+
 /** Set of file paths currently being loaded (to detect circular references) */
 const loadingFiles = new Set<string>();
 
@@ -31,14 +41,13 @@ export function hasNestedReferences(schema: Schema): boolean {
   }
 }
 
-export function loadReferenceTable(
+function loadReferenceTableData(
   schema: ReferenceSchema | ReverseReferenceSchema,
   refBaseDir: string | undefined,
-  defaultPrimaryKey: string,
   currentFilePath: string | undefined,
 ): {
-  lookup: Map<string, Record<string, unknown>>;
   refTable: Record<string, unknown>[];
+  refFilePath: string;
 } {
   const baseDir =
     refBaseDir ||
@@ -75,6 +84,30 @@ export function loadReferenceTable(
     }
   }
 
+  return { refTable, refFilePath };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Load a referenced table and build a forward lookup keyed by primary key.
+ * Only call this when forward resolution is actually needed; the reverse
+ * path uses `loadReferenceTableData` directly to avoid building a throwaway map.
+ */
+export function loadReferenceTable(
+  schema: ReferenceSchema | ReverseReferenceSchema,
+  refBaseDir: string | undefined,
+  defaultPrimaryKey: string,
+  currentFilePath: string | undefined,
+): {
+  lookup: Map<string, Record<string, unknown>>;
+  refTable: Record<string, unknown>[];
+  refFilePath: string;
+} {
+  const { refTable, refFilePath } = loadReferenceTableData(
+    schema,
+    refBaseDir,
+    currentFilePath,
+  );
+
   const lookup = new Map<string, Record<string, unknown>>();
   refTable.forEach((row) => {
     const pkValue = row[defaultPrimaryKey];
@@ -83,7 +116,50 @@ export function loadReferenceTable(
     }
   });
 
-  return { lookup, refTable };
+  return { lookup, refTable, refFilePath };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Build (and cache) a reverse lookup for a referenced table + foreign key:
+ * a map from the foreign-key value to the rows that reference it.
+ */
+function getReverseLookup(
+  schema: ReverseReferenceSchema,
+  refBaseDir: string | undefined,
+  defaultPrimaryKey: string,
+  currentFilePath: string | undefined,
+): Map<string, Record<string, unknown>[]> {
+  const { refTable, refFilePath } = loadReferenceTableData(
+    schema,
+    refBaseDir,
+    currentFilePath,
+  );
+
+  let byForeignKey = reverseLookupCache.get(refFilePath);
+  if (!byForeignKey) {
+    byForeignKey = new Map();
+    reverseLookupCache.set(refFilePath, byForeignKey);
+  }
+
+  const cached = byForeignKey.get(schema.foreignKey);
+  if (cached) return cached;
+
+  const lookup = new Map<string, Record<string, unknown>[]>();
+  for (const row of refTable) {
+    const fkValue = row[schema.foreignKey];
+    const fkStr =
+      fkValue !== null && fkValue !== undefined && typeof fkValue === "object"
+        ? String((fkValue as Record<string, unknown>)[defaultPrimaryKey])
+        : String(fkValue);
+    const bucket = lookup.get(fkStr);
+    if (bucket) {
+      bucket.push(row);
+    } else {
+      lookup.set(fkStr, [row]);
+    }
+  }
+  byForeignKey.set(schema.foreignKey, lookup);
+  return lookup;
 }
 
 export function resolveReferenceId(
@@ -299,39 +375,27 @@ export function parseValueWithReferences(
       );
     }
     case "union": {
+      // Try reference members first (more specific), then non-reference members.
+      // This makes the fallback structural rather than error-message-driven.
+      const refMembers = schema.members.filter(hasNestedReferences);
+      const nonRefMembers = schema.members.filter((m) => !hasNestedReferences(m));
       const errors: Error[] = [];
-      for (const member of schema.members) {
-        if (hasNestedReferences(member)) {
-          try {
-            const parsed = parseValue(member, valueString);
-            return resolveNestedReferences(
-              parsed,
-              member,
-              refBaseDir,
-              defaultPrimaryKey,
-              currentFilePath,
-              currentRowPk,
-            );
-          } catch (e) {
-            errors.push(e instanceof Error ? e : new Error(String(e)));
-          }
+      for (const member of [...refMembers, ...nonRefMembers]) {
+        try {
+          const parsed = parseValue(member, valueString);
+          return resolveNestedReferences(
+            parsed,
+            member,
+            refBaseDir,
+            defaultPrimaryKey,
+            currentFilePath,
+            currentRowPk,
+          );
+        } catch (e) {
+          errors.push(e instanceof Error ? e : new Error(String(e)));
         }
       }
-      if (
-        errors.length > 0 &&
-        errors.every((e) =>
-          /not found|Circular reference|Failed to load/.test(e.message),
-        )
-      ) {
-        for (const member of schema.members) {
-          if (!hasNestedReferences(member)) {
-            try {
-              return parseValue(member, valueString);
-            } catch {}
-          }
-        }
-      }
-      return parseValue(schema, valueString);
+      throw errors[0] ?? new Error("Value does not match any union member");
     }
     default:
       return parseValue(schema, valueString);
@@ -345,21 +409,13 @@ export function resolveReverseReference(
   defaultPrimaryKey: string,
   currentFilePath: string | undefined,
 ): Record<string, unknown>[] {
-  const { refTable } = loadReferenceTable(
+  const lookup = getReverseLookup(
     schema,
     refBaseDir,
     defaultPrimaryKey,
     currentFilePath,
   );
-  const pkStr = String(pkValue);
-  return refTable.filter((row) => {
-    const fkValue = row[schema.foreignKey];
-    const fkStr =
-      fkValue !== null && fkValue !== undefined && typeof fkValue === "object"
-        ? String((fkValue as Record<string, unknown>)[defaultPrimaryKey])
-        : String(fkValue);
-    return fkStr === pkStr;
-  });
+  return lookup.get(String(pkValue)) ?? [];
 }
 
 export function resolveNestedReferences(
@@ -425,21 +481,22 @@ export function resolveNestedReferences(
       );
     }
     case "union": {
+      // Try reference members first (more specific), then non-reference members.
+      const refMembers = schema.members.filter(hasNestedReferences);
+      const nonRefMembers = schema.members.filter((m) => !hasNestedReferences(m));
       const errors: Error[] = [];
-      for (const member of schema.members) {
-        if (hasNestedReferences(member)) {
-          try {
-            return resolveNestedReferences(
-              value,
-              member,
-              refBaseDir,
-              defaultPrimaryKey,
-              currentFilePath,
-              currentRowPk,
-            );
-          } catch (e) {
-            errors.push(e instanceof Error ? e : new Error(String(e)));
-          }
+      for (const member of [...refMembers, ...nonRefMembers]) {
+        try {
+          return resolveNestedReferences(
+            value,
+            member,
+            refBaseDir,
+            defaultPrimaryKey,
+            currentFilePath,
+            currentRowPk,
+          );
+        } catch (e) {
+          errors.push(e instanceof Error ? e : new Error(String(e)));
         }
       }
       if (errors.length > 0) {

src/csv-loader/rollup.ts

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ interface RollupPlugin {
 }
 
 /**
- * Rollup plugin for loading CSV files with inline-schema validation.
+ * Rollup plugin for loading CSV files with typed-csv validation.
  * Works with both Vite and Tsup (esbuild).
  */
 export function csvLoader(options: CsvRollupOptions = {}): RollupPlugin {
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export function csvLoader(options: CsvRollupOptions = {}): RollupPlugin {
   } = options;
 
   return {
-    name: "inline-schema-csv",
+    name: "typed-csv",
 
     transform(code: string, id: string) {
       // Check if file matches the include/exclude patterns

src/csv-loader/tests/parseCsv-basic.test.ts

@@ -65,6 +65,21 @@ describe("parseCsv - basic parsing", () => {
     expect(result.data[1]).toEqual({ name: "Bob", status: "off" });
   });
 
+  it("should parse CSV with double-quoted string literal columns", () => {
+    const csv = [
+      "name,status",
+      'string,"active" | "inactive"',
+      "Alice,active",
+      "Bob,inactive",
+    ].join("\n");
+
+    const result = parseCsv(csv, { emitTypes: false });
+
+    expect(result.data).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(result.data[0]).toEqual({ name: "Alice", status: "active" });
+    expect(result.data[1]).toEqual({ name: "Bob", status: "inactive" });
+  });
+
   it("should parse CSV with array columns", () => {
     const csv = [
       "name,tags",

src/csv-loader/tests/parseCsv-reverseRefs.test.ts

@@ -43,6 +43,40 @@ describe("parseCsv - reverse reference resolution", () => {
     }
   });
 
+  it("should resolve reverse reference when the foreign key is an object reference", () => {
+    // The referenced table's foreign key column is itself a reference, so the
+    // stored value is an object and the reverse lookup must key on its primary key.
+    const ordersCsvPath = path.join(fixturesDir, "rev_orders.csv");
+    const ordersContent = [
+      "id,customer,total",
+      "string,@users,number",
+      "1,1,100",
+      "2,1,50",
+    ].join("\n");
+    fs.writeFileSync(ordersCsvPath, ordersContent);
+
+    try {
+      const csv = [
+        "id,name",
+        "string,string",
+        "# inject orders = ~rev_orders(customer)",
+        "1,Alice",
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      const result = parseCsv(csv, {
+        emitTypes: false,
+        currentFilePath: path.join(fixturesDir, "test.csv"),
+      });
+
+      const orders = result.data[0].orders as Record<string, unknown>[];
+      expect(orders).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(orders[0].id).toBe("1");
+      expect(orders[1].id).toBe("2");
+    } finally {
+      fs.unlinkSync(ordersCsvPath);
+    }
+  });
+
   it("should return empty array for reverse reference with no matches", () => {
     const ordersCsvPath = path.join(fixturesDir, "rev_orders.csv");
     const ordersContent = [

src/csv-loader/tests/parseCsv-typeDeclarations.test.ts

@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ describe("parseCsv - type declarations", () => {
       "# type IntentEffects = IntentEffect[]",
       "id,effects",
       "string,IntentEffects",
-      "boost,[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]",
+      "boost,[[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]]",
     ].join("\n");
 
     const result = parseCsv(csv, { emitTypes: false });
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ describe("parseCsv - type declarations", () => {
       "# type IntentEffects = IntentEffect[]",
       "id,effects",
       "string,IntentEffects",
-      "boost,[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]",
+      "boost,[[user;spike;1];[user;defend;4]]",
     ].join("\n");
 
     const result = parseCsv(csv, {
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ describe("parseCsv - type declarations", () => {
       '# type Type = "apple" | "orange"',
       "id,items",
       "string,[Type; int][]",
-      "001,[apple;2];[orange;3]",
+      "001,[[apple;2];[orange;3]]",
     ].join("\n");
 
     const result = parseCsv(csv, { emitTypes: false });
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ describe("parseCsv - type declarations", () => {
       "# type Entry = [@user]",
       "id,entry",
       "string,Entry",
-      "1,1",
+      "1,[1]",
     ].join("\n");
 
     const result = parseCsv(csv, {

src/index.test.ts

@@ -174,10 +174,11 @@ describe("Tuples", () => {
     expect(schema.validator(["hello", "42"])).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  it("should parse tuple without brackets", () => {
+  it("should require brackets for tuple values", () => {
     const schema = defineSchema("[string; number]");
-    const value = schema.parse("hello; 42");
+    const value = schema.parse("[hello; 42]");
     expect(value).toEqual(["hello", 42]);
+    expect(() => schema.parse("hello; 42")).toThrow(ParseError);
   });
 
   it("should parse named tuple", () => {
@@ -212,10 +213,11 @@ describe("Arrays", () => {
     expect(schema.validator(["hello", 42])).toBe(false);
   });
 
-  it("should parse array without brackets", () => {
+  it("should require brackets for array values", () => {
     const schema = defineSchema("string[]");
-    const value = schema.parse("hello; world; test");
+    const value = schema.parse("[hello; world; test]");
     expect(value).toEqual(["hello", "world", "test"]);
+    expect(() => schema.parse("hello; world; test")).toThrow(ParseError);
   });
 
   it("should parse array of numbers", () => {
@@ -246,14 +248,15 @@ describe("Arrays", () => {
     ]);
   });
 
-  it("should parse array of tuples without outer brackets", () => {
+  it("should require outer brackets for array of tuples", () => {
     const schema = defineSchema("[string; number][]");
-    const value = schema.parse("[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]");
+    const value = schema.parse("[[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]]");
     expect(value).toEqual([
       ["a", 1],
       ["b", 2],
       ["c", 3],
     ]);
+    expect(() => schema.parse("[a; 1]; [b; 2]; [c; 3]")).toThrow(ParseError);
   });
 
   it("should parse array of unions", () => {
@@ -283,7 +286,7 @@ describe("Escaping", () => {
 
   it("should handle escaped semicolon in tuple", () => {
     const schema = defineSchema("[string; string]");
-    const value = schema.parse("hello\\;world; test");
+    const value = schema.parse("[hello\\;world; test]");
     expect(value).toEqual(["hello;world", "test"]);
   });
 });
@@ -682,14 +685,15 @@ describe("Reference value parsing (parseValue)", () => {
     expect(result).toEqual(["1", "2", "3"]);
   });
 
-  it("should parse array reference IDs without brackets", () => {
+  it("should require brackets for array reference IDs", () => {
     const schema: import("./types").ReferenceSchema = {
       type: "reference",
       tableName: "users",
       isArray: true,
     };
-    const result = parseValue(schema, "1; 2; 3");
+    const result = parseValue(schema, "[1; 2; 3]");
     expect(result).toEqual(["1", "2", "3"]);
+    expect(() => parseValue(schema, "1; 2; 3")).toThrow(ParseError);
   });
 
   it("should parse empty array reference", () => {

src/parser.ts

@@ -250,20 +250,7 @@ class Parser {
         throw new ParseError("Expected ]", this.pos);
       }
 
-      if (this.consumeStr("[")) {
-        this.skipWhitespace();
-        if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
-          throw new ParseError("Expected ]", this.pos);
-        }
-        if (elements.length === 1 && !elements[0].name) {
-          return { type: "array", element: elements[0].schema };
-        }
-        return { type: "array", element: { type: "tuple", elements } };
-      }
-
-      if (elements.length === 1 && !elements[0].name) {
-        return { type: "array", element: elements[0].schema };
-      }
+      // [t] is always a 1-tuple (the [Type][] array form was removed)
       return { type: "tuple", elements };
     }
 

src/type-utils.ts

@@ -39,13 +39,6 @@ export function schemaToTypeString(
       return schema.isOptional ? `${baseType} | null` : baseType;
     }
     case "array":
-      if (schema.element.type === "tuple") {
-        const tupleElements = schema.element.elements.map((el) => {
-          const typeStr = schemaToTypeString(el.schema, resourceNames);
-          return el.name ? `${el.name}: ${typeStr}` : typeStr;
-        });
-        return `[${tupleElements.join(", ")}][]`;
-      }
       const elementType = schemaToTypeString(schema.element, resourceNames);
       if (schema.element.type === "union") {
         return `(${elementType})[]`;

src/value-parser.ts

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class ValueParser {
     return false;
   }
 
-  parseValue(schema: Schema, allowOmitBrackets: boolean = false): unknown {
+  parseValue(schema: Schema): unknown {
     this.skipWhitespace();
 
     switch (schema.type) {
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ class ValueParser {
       case "union":
         return this.parseUnionValue(schema);
       case "tuple":
-        return this.parseTupleValue(schema, allowOmitBrackets);
+        return this.parseTupleValue(schema);
       case "array":
-        return this.parseArrayValue(schema, allowOmitBrackets);
+        return this.parseArrayValue(schema);
       case "reference":
         // Reference values are parsed as strings (IDs) initially, resolved later
         return this.parseReferenceValue(schema);
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ class ValueParser {
     for (let i = 0; i < schema.members.length; i++) {
       this.pos = savedPos;
       try {
-        return this.parseValue(schema.members[i], false);
+        return this.parseValue(schema.members[i]);
       } catch (e) {
         errors.push(e as Error);
         // Continue to next member
@@ -266,16 +266,8 @@ class ValueParser {
     );
   }
 
-  private parseTupleValue(
-    schema: TupleSchema,
-    allowOmitBrackets: boolean,
-  ): unknown[] {
-    let hasOpenBracket = false;
-
-    if (this.peek() === "[") {
-      this.consume();
-      hasOpenBracket = true;
-    } else if (!allowOmitBrackets) {
+  private parseTupleValue(schema: TupleSchema): unknown[] {
+    if (!this.consumeStr("[")) {
       throw new ParseError(
         "Expected [",
         this.pos,
@@ -286,7 +278,7 @@ class ValueParser {
 
     this.skipWhitespace();
 
-    if (this.peek() === "]" && hasOpenBracket) {
+    if (this.peek() === "]") {
       this.consume();
       return [];
     }
@@ -308,7 +300,7 @@ class ValueParser {
         }
       }
 
-      result.push(this.parseValue(elementSchema.schema, false));
+      result.push(this.parseValue(elementSchema.schema));
       this.skipWhitespace();
 
       if (i < schema.elements.length - 1) {
@@ -325,57 +317,24 @@ class ValueParser {
 
     this.skipWhitespace();
 
-    if (hasOpenBracket) {
-      if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
-        throw new ParseError(
-          "Expected ]",
-          this.pos,
-          this.schemaString,
-          this.input,
-        );
-      }
+    if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
+      throw new ParseError(
+        "Expected ]",
+        this.pos,
+        this.schemaString,
+        this.input,
+      );
     }
 
     return result;
   }
 
-  private parseArrayValue(
-    schema: ArraySchema,
-    allowOmitBrackets: boolean,
-  ): unknown[] {
-    let hasOpenBracket = false;
-    const elementIsTupleOrArray =
-      schema.element.type === "tuple" || schema.element.type === "array";
-
+  private parseArrayValue(schema: ArraySchema): unknown[] {
     if (this.pos >= this.input.length || !this.input.trim()) {
       return [];
     }
 
-    if (this.peek() === "[") {
-      if (!elementIsTupleOrArray) {
-        this.consume();
-        hasOpenBracket = true;
-      } else {
-        // Element is tuple or array - need to disambiguate
-        // Save position to check if this is an empty array
-        const savedPos = this.pos;
-        this.consume();
-        this.skipWhitespace();
-        if (this.peek() === "]") {
-          // Empty array []
-          this.consume();
-          return [];
-        } else if (this.peek() === "[") {
-          // Nested brackets [[ - this is the array opener
-          hasOpenBracket = true;
-        } else {
-          // [ belongs to the first element, restore position
-          this.pos = savedPos;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-
-    if (!hasOpenBracket && !allowOmitBrackets && !elementIsTupleOrArray) {
+    if (!this.consumeStr("[")) {
       throw new ParseError(
         "Expected [",
         this.pos,
@@ -386,7 +345,7 @@ class ValueParser {
 
     this.skipWhitespace();
 
-    if (this.peek() === "]" && hasOpenBracket) {
+    if (this.peek() === "]") {
       this.consume();
       return [];
     }
@@ -395,7 +354,7 @@ class ValueParser {
     while (true) {
       this.skipWhitespace();
 
-      result.push(this.parseValue(schema.element, elementIsTupleOrArray));
+      result.push(this.parseValue(schema.element));
       this.skipWhitespace();
 
       if (!this.consumeStr(";")) {
@@ -405,15 +364,13 @@ class ValueParser {
 
     this.skipWhitespace();
 
-    if (hasOpenBracket) {
-      if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
-        throw new ParseError(
-          "Expected ]",
-          this.pos,
-          this.schemaString,
-          this.input,
-        );
-      }
+    if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
+      throw new ParseError(
+        "Expected ]",
+        this.pos,
+        this.schemaString,
+        this.input,
+      );
     }
 
     return result;
@@ -431,15 +388,18 @@ class ValueParser {
 
     if (schema.isArray) {
       // Parse array of IDs: [id1; id2; id3]
-      let hasOpenBracket = false;
-      if (this.peek() === "[") {
-        this.consume();
-        hasOpenBracket = true;
+      if (!this.consumeStr("[")) {
+        throw new ParseError(
+          "Expected [",
+          this.pos,
+          this.schemaString,
+          this.input,
+        );
       }
 
       this.skipWhitespace();
 
-      if (this.peek() === "]" && hasOpenBracket) {
+      if (this.peek() === "]") {
         this.consume();
         return [];
       }
@@ -464,15 +424,15 @@ class ValueParser {
         }
       }
 
-      if (hasOpenBracket) {
-        if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
-          throw new ParseError(
-            "Expected ]",
-            this.pos,
-            this.schemaString,
-            this.input,
-          );
-        }
+      this.skipWhitespace();
+
+      if (!this.consumeStr("]")) {
+        throw new ParseError(
+          "Expected ]",
+          this.pos,
+          this.schemaString,
+          this.input,
+        );
       }
 
       return ids;
@@ -506,8 +466,7 @@ export function parseValue(
 ): unknown {
   const sStr = schemaString || schemaToTypeString(schema);
   const parser = new ValueParser(valueString.trim(), sStr);
-  const allowOmitBrackets = schema.type === "tuple" || schema.type === "array";
-  const value = parser.parseValue(schema, allowOmitBrackets);
+  const value = parser.parseValue(schema);
 
   if (parser.getPosition() < parser.getInputLength()) {
     throw new ParseError(